Keep Goodfellow pools clean Published July 29, 2014 By Toni Hansen 17th Force Support Squadron GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The start of summer typically brings to mind afternoons of fun by the pool with our children. Goodfellow AFB has the benefit of having three pools available during the summer months-- China Beach, McGarr Pool, and the Goodfellow Recreation Camp Pool. The 17th Force Support Squadron and 17th Civil Engineer Squadron are tasked with maintaining and operating the pools to ensure students, permanent party members and families have a safe and healthy recreation outlet. Unfortunately over the past month, there have been too many occasions when the 17th FSS have had to close one or more of the pools, which causes frustration for many. One of the reasons the 17th FSS have closed pools is to clean the water with chemicals due to a child having a toileting accident while swimming. When these accidents occur, the 17th FSS closes the pools immediately and for a subsequent 72 hours to allow the chemicals time to work to ensure the water is safe and will not pose a health concern. While closure of the pools is upsetting to families, there is a larger impact, which is the elimination of a physical fitness training location. The primary mission of the McGarr Pool is to offer lap swimming to meet training and physical fitness standards. As such, ensuring this pool is available as much as possible is a high priority. Parents can help ensure the pools are available for everyone to enjoy by choosing an activity other than the pool for children who may not be feeling well and by ensuring children who have not mastered the ability to consistently use the toilet are wearing swim diapers. Additionally, checking and changing the swim diapers on a more frequent basis will help keep the pool water safe and healthy for everyone. Everyone's diligence to ensuring the pools are able to be enjoyed for the rest of the season would be greatly appreciated.
